October 2024 Issue of Microbiology Today is now available to read online
29 October 2024
The latest edition of Microbiology Today is now available to read online. This issue, titled ‘Emerging Opportunities’, brings a positive view on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with innovative ways of tackling this threat using sustainable resources, such as seaweed and Matuba tree (Ficus natalensis) bark cloth. The issue highlights Access Microbiology the Society’s Open Access platform, the role of microbiologists in space exploration, and bacterial genomics and artificial intelligence (AI).
The first featured article is from Leanne Timpson, who writes about seaweed and its possibilities within microbiology and society’s health. In this piece, Leanne explores the connection between microalgae and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Leanne explains the seaweed antimicrobial compounds and how they can help in the fight to tackle AMR.
The second featured article by Matt Bawn focuses on bacterial genomics and the emerging opportunities we’re seeing with the rise of machine learning and artificial intelligence (MLAI). In the article, Matt highlights that there is an unparalleled amount of data available on bacterial genomes in many databases and MLAI has already yielded significant insights from them. Matt believes that refocusing microbiologists’ relationship with bacterial genomics away from bacteria as a disease source will improve our understanding of how we can use these microbes to improve health and society.
Our third featured article, written by Jack Buckley, explores the use of a sustainable antimicrobial fabric derived from the bark of the Mutuba tree (Ficus natalensis), a material that has been integral to the culture of the Baganda people of Southern Uganda for generations. In this piece, Jack explores the antimicrobial properties of the bark and how it can help in the fight to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
A comment piece by Katherine Baxter, titled ‘Space Microbiology — Growing our Reach Towards the Stars’, concludes this edition. Katherine explores humanity's goals for star exploration and walks us through the role microbiologists will have during this process. The piece also mentions how understanding the space environment impacts both beneficial and pathogenic micro-organisms, helping to maintain crew health, ensure safe food production, and preserve the material integrity of the spacecraft environment.
This issue also includes details on Society activities, including a Q&A with Society Champion Joshua Kurucs, a member Q&A with Miki Uchima and much more!